Got a quote, changed mind
Discussion
Yes they can charge you, and you should pay them. They’ve worked on the job for you to come to a diagnosis so it would be a dick move to not at least pay them for that time.
You don’t have to go through with the repair, they may be hit with restocking fees for returning parts they’ve bought so there’s a conversation to be had there perhaps.
You don’t have to go through with the repair, they may be hit with restocking fees for returning parts they’ve bought so there’s a conversation to be had there perhaps.
You’ve asked for a quote.
You’ve decided not to go ahead with the work.
It would be reasonable to offer to pay for the garage’s time. I think that’s it.
This sort of thing happens all the time, except I suspect a lot of less scrupulous people would just ‘ghost’ the garage at this stage.
In the unlikely event that the garage get snotty, I’d just leave them to it.
You’ve decided not to go ahead with the work.
It would be reasonable to offer to pay for the garage’s time. I think that’s it.
This sort of thing happens all the time, except I suspect a lot of less scrupulous people would just ‘ghost’ the garage at this stage.
In the unlikely event that the garage get snotty, I’d just leave them to it.
Mercury00 said:
helj40 said:
I'm a single woman asking for advice I know nothing about cars
What has your gender or relationship status got to do with it?It is a fact that women are a greater target for less scrupulous outfits to be taken for a jolly ride. This is wholly wrong and indeed, gender should have nothing to do with any outfits approach to each Customer, but it does.
Maybe you should lower your own levels of testosterone and cut her some slack and reinforce some more helpful advice provided already or an alternative and constructive piece of advice.
Some people on here beggar belief.
Edited by Superleg48 on Thursday 7th April 21:35
I think if you call and say you've decided not to proceed but ask how much you owe for the diagnostic work done they may well waive it or say it was £xx and that'll be the end of it. If you had taken it to a main dealer they normally say upfront there's a (minimum) diagnosis charge of £80 or whatever. Your local garage has spent time looking at it, offer to settle the bill for time spent and I very much doubt it will be any sort of issue.
Bobupndown said:
No you have no contract, they'll be able to return unused parts to their supplier
Not necessarily on either point.If op has signed a jobcard (and it wouldn't be in our workshop without doing so) there is a contract instructing us to complete the specified work which includes a spend limit set by the customer.
Not all parts can be returned. Fast moving items can be but often at a surcharge. Non stock items can't be sent back.
helj40 said:
After abit of advice,
Took car to local garage, he checked it said what I needed, but the qoute was rather could be this but could be more
He said he would order parts needed
He phoned me to say he had ordered parts plus an extra part in case I needed it
I said I would drop the car down
But after thinking abit it, I feel I'm being over charged and don't want the work doing
Could the garage, charge me for checking the car over, or even for the parts of I choose not to get the work done
Another mechanic said I was being quoted for work that did not need doing
What makes you think you are being overcharged? Took car to local garage, he checked it said what I needed, but the qoute was rather could be this but could be more
He said he would order parts needed
He phoned me to say he had ordered parts plus an extra part in case I needed it
I said I would drop the car down
But after thinking abit it, I feel I'm being over charged and don't want the work doing
Could the garage, charge me for checking the car over, or even for the parts of I choose not to get the work done
Another mechanic said I was being quoted for work that did not need doing
They can’t and won’t take you to court unless you got them to repair the car or had them waste a fair amount of time diagnosing and then decided not to pay.
I wouldn’t worry too much, it’s quite a normal thing for customers to change minds about a job if you think it’s too much, Aslong as they haven’t already taking your car apart.
Just ring them up and say hi, you haven’t started yet have you? After 2nd thoughts I think I’ll leave it as the bill is more than I want to pay. How much would it be just for the time you’ve spent diagnosing it?
-which they’d probably reply ok no worries, it’ll be X amount/ or no charge.
I wouldn’t worry too much, it’s quite a normal thing for customers to change minds about a job if you think it’s too much, Aslong as they haven’t already taking your car apart.
Just ring them up and say hi, you haven’t started yet have you? After 2nd thoughts I think I’ll leave it as the bill is more than I want to pay. How much would it be just for the time you’ve spent diagnosing it?
-which they’d probably reply ok no worries, it’ll be X amount/ or no charge.
What does the quote say? Read the t&c’s.
If there is any chargeable fault finding it will be shown as such. It’s normal for brief fault finding (like 15-20mins) to be free, it’s part of pricing work. Anything in depth will be chargeable.
For the parts, there may be a restocking fee but I doubt it, this is a common occurrence. The usual route is for the quote to be agreed in writing before ordering any parts. If the parts value is high or difficult to return then a deposit may be charged.
Having a customer change their mind even after ordering parts is not exactly rare. If you agreed to the quote you should honour your end under their t&c’s. From what you have written you’re prepared to do this.
For the garage it’s a very minor hassle but that’s where it ends. Poor customer management if they throw a wobbly. If they do this then you made the right choice. However they should walk you through the quote and address your concerns.
Don’t worry at all about the small claims court, this will never happen.
If there is any chargeable fault finding it will be shown as such. It’s normal for brief fault finding (like 15-20mins) to be free, it’s part of pricing work. Anything in depth will be chargeable.
For the parts, there may be a restocking fee but I doubt it, this is a common occurrence. The usual route is for the quote to be agreed in writing before ordering any parts. If the parts value is high or difficult to return then a deposit may be charged.
Having a customer change their mind even after ordering parts is not exactly rare. If you agreed to the quote you should honour your end under their t&c’s. From what you have written you’re prepared to do this.
For the garage it’s a very minor hassle but that’s where it ends. Poor customer management if they throw a wobbly. If they do this then you made the right choice. However they should walk you through the quote and address your concerns.
Don’t worry at all about the small claims court, this will never happen.
You said you don’t know about cars. But then say you think they’re overcharging. Surely that would necessitate a bit of knowing about cars?
I would echo some of the above. Talk to them.
But don’t stitch them up. They’re people too. It’s easy to be all brave on the internet, but remember it’s a person on the other side to, he’s just trying to make a living too and you can’t begrudge him that
Otherwise for the next customer, he may add 10% on to cover time wasters. Maybe that’s why he’s quoted a little more to you here, his previous customer said “yes” and then messed him round?
What is the actual work? I did the brakes on my Mazda last weekend. I know I changed less parts than a garage would have because I decided one part was still serviceable. But if I was a garage mechanic, I’d probably have change it to be sure. Which is right and which is wrong? Always debatable.
What’s the issue with your car?
I would echo some of the above. Talk to them.
But don’t stitch them up. They’re people too. It’s easy to be all brave on the internet, but remember it’s a person on the other side to, he’s just trying to make a living too and you can’t begrudge him that
Otherwise for the next customer, he may add 10% on to cover time wasters. Maybe that’s why he’s quoted a little more to you here, his previous customer said “yes” and then messed him round?
What is the actual work? I did the brakes on my Mazda last weekend. I know I changed less parts than a garage would have because I decided one part was still serviceable. But if I was a garage mechanic, I’d probably have change it to be sure. Which is right and which is wrong? Always debatable.
What’s the issue with your car?
Edited by Arnold Cunningham on Friday 8th April 07:23
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